Did I Calculate the Correct Angle for TIR in a Glass Prism?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating angles related to total internal reflection (TIR) in a glass prism, specifically focusing on the application of Snell's Law and the critical angle for light transitioning between different media.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to determine the necessary angles for TIR and calculates the angles using Snell's Law, while also addressing a diagrammatic error regarding angle placement. Some participants question the accuracy of angle measurements and the relevance of calculating the critical angle.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring the correctness of the calculations and the implications of the critical angle on the results. Some guidance has been offered regarding the necessity of certain calculations, and there is an ongoing verification of the final answer.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of a diagram that may have contributed to confusion regarding angle measurements, and the original poster acknowledges an error in the placement of an angle in the diagram. The discussion also touches on the conditions under which total internal reflection occurs.

Alain12345
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I completed a question about TIR in a glass prism, and I was wondering if someone can tell me if I got it right. Thanks

"Less" and "more" refer to the less dense medium and more dense medium, and the red line is the normal.

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/7061/tirquestion0mi.png

Question: Determine all the necessary angles and then calculate at which angle the ray exits the prism. n= 1.44

Calculations:

n= sin less/sin more
1.44= sin 62/sin more
sin 62/1.44= sin more
angle more= 38
_________________

n= sin less/sin more
1.44= sin less/ sin 60
angle less= N/A

therefore, sin C= 1/n
sin C= 1/1.44
= 0.6944
Critical angle= 44

angle more is greater than critical angle, therefore TIR occurs
__________________

n= sin less/sin more
1.44= sin less/ sin 20
angle less= 30

The ray exits the prism at 30 degrees.

EDIT: I put the 62 in the wrong place, I meant it to be in between the normal and ray
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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The angle that is used in Snell's Law : sin(theta)
is the angle measured from the NORMAL line to the RAY.
The 62 degree angle, according to your diagram,
is measured from the SURFACE to the ray.
 
I'm sorry, I put the 62 in the wrong place when I was makign the diagram. It should be between the normal and the ray
 
Then your work is Okay.
You don't really need to compute the critical angle (paragraph 3)
... if the sin(less) is supposed to be greater than 1,
then that "less" angle does not exist, and Tot.Internal Reflection occurs.
 
So 30 degrees is okay for my final answer? Thanks a lot! :smile:
 

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